Am I cursed?

[ms jadu]

I have tried almost everything on my face and nothing seems to work. I use the same product for about three months at a time, and i still dont see any success with my face. Not only do i have bad acne, but black marks all over. Some of the products I used were Neutrogena, Noxima, Black Opal, Oil Olay, Aveeno, Sea Breeze, St. Ives, Black Soap, and MAry Kay. I also used Pro-active, but my face starts to get really try, and starts to peel, when its seems like there is hope. My father is a Rastaman and makes me drink Cerasee. All though it cleared up my face, it made me lose weight. Im already a stick. Do you ladies have good recommendatios?

[Integrity]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
ms jadu said:
My father is a Rastaman and makes me drink Cerasee. All though it cleared up my face, it made me lose weight. Im already a stick. Do you ladies have good recommendatios?

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry to hear about your skin woes. What you said about Cerasee caught my attention!! What is this drink and where do you get it?

[ms jadu]

You can buy it from any WEst Indian Grocery store for about $.99 a bag. My father grows it in his back yard. Anyhow, its really nasty. It is quite bitter. You cannot drink it with sugar, milk, or any sweetner. You would have to drink it straight. I drank it for a week, and it made me lose about 10 lbs. Im already a twig, so I stopped.

[Integrity]

that is amazing!! do you have to drink a lot of the stuff?? i will surely look for it when i get to london! /forums/images/graemlins/drunk.gif

[azul11]

she caught my eye with that as well. all i say was weight loss and my ears perked up. i dont know about your skin woes maybe you have sensitive skin and those other treatments are too harsh for it. if you dont have a dermatologist maybe you can look into getting one or you try treatments geared towards sensitive skin. God bless you all.

[Integrity]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
azul11 said:
she caught my eye with that as well. all i say was weight loss and my ears perked up.

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL @ Azul /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Allandra]

Hi Ms. Jadu, /forums/images/graemlins/wave.gif

Since you've tried a number of products, I think you should visit a dermatologist. Hopefully, they can put you on a skin care regimen that's best for your skin type. BTW, do you consider your skin to be normal, dry, combination or oily?

[ms jadu]

I have combination skin. I went to a dermatologist years ago, and she said it was my diet, and recommended proactive. But bad skin runs in the family. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I have not seen a doctor since. I also used cocoa butter, but it made me breakout even worse.

[ms jadu]

I drank a cup full every morning and every night. I boiled the roots and stems(from daddy's yard) and strained it. Then I drank it straight, and put the rest in the fridge. You can also drink it cold.

[canuck]

i have been using some rosa mosqueta oil for my skin. Its really been doing wonders for my skin, but it is kinda strong ( i have eczema and sensitive skin) you might have to use it in a base oil, but it really really works!

[ms jadu]

EHHH! Which part ya get dis from? How much does it cost?

[hairfanatic]

Hi Ms Jadu,

Like you, I have tried just about everything on the market. I have dry and sensitive skin and with a lot of skin care, I would have bad reactions. I personally like Aubrey Organics because he uses all natural ingredients. I haven't had a reaction or pimple in a very long time (only when I use things on my hair with mineral oil etc, which is why I prefer natural products on my hair as well). In the winter months I use Vegecol in the summer months the GreenTea

Here is a link, just click on the skin link that applies to you.

http://www.aubrey-organics.com/skincare/skincare.html

[ms jadu]

Do you think that the vitamin supplements would help clear up some of the blemishes I have?

[elliot]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
Pandora said:
</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
ms jadu said:
My father is a Rastaman and makes me drink Cerasee. All though it cleared up my face, it made me lose weight. Im already a stick. Do you ladies have good recommendatios?

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry to hear about your skin woes. What you said about Cerasee caught my attention!! What is this drink and where do you get it?

[/ QUOTE ]

I believe that Cerasee is also called Bitter Melon is some parts of the world. (This may make your search for the product a little easier.) /forums/images/graemlins/drunk.gif

[Armyqt]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
ms jadu said:
Do you think that the vitamin supplements would help clear up some of the blemishes I have?

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey Ms. Jadu. Yes, B-supplements will help alot with your skin. EPO is also a good supplement that helps with the skin. Are u experiencing more of the acne in the areas where you produce the most oil? If so, that can be caused by overproduction of sebum, which leads to clogged pores and acne. I would definitley go see a dermatologist. But right off the bat I would say try the Queen Helene Mint Julep mask (u can get at Sally's) and use it 2x per week. It is very good at drying up pimples. Also, go to the website below and check out their skin care board. They have lots of great info there. PM me if you have any more questions. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Make Up Alley (http://www.makeupalley.com)

Please keep us posted on your progress. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

PS. Girl I know all about the cerasse. My mom used to make me drink it when I was a kid. (Yuck). But dang, I didn't know it could help u lose weight. See what you've started now! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[ms jadu]

It made me and my sister lose weight. i thought that was a normal thing, but alot of people who use to drink it are shocked. I'm wondering if it is just me that it happens too. Thanks for the advice. Im going to look into that. Thanks a bunch!

[mirrormirror]

Hey Ms Jade~
I do think a vitamin supplement will help with ypur breakouts, Ultra evening primrose oil 1500mg is good, thats what I use and it helps my skin to stay clear and glowing. I get it from GNC, but the brand doesn't matter, it comes in oil capsules.

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
ms jadu said:
I have combination skin. I went to a dermatologist years ago, and she said it was my diet, and recommended proactive. But bad skin runs in the family. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I have not seen a doctor since. I also used cocoa butter, but it made me breakout even worse.

[/ QUOTE ]

Cocoa butter is not good for your skin if you are putting it on the oily parts. Cocoa butter was probably clogging your pores. Make sure whatever Vitamin you are taking does not have too much iodine in it. As well, see a different dermatologist. Bad skin runs in my family too and my skin is almost perfectly clear thanks to Retin-A and azalex cream. Feel free to pm me if you want a recommendation for a good dermatologist. I want to know more about that Cerasee so I can drop some pounds /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

One more thing...you may have been using too many products. You need to start with a simple skin care regime and give the product time to work. I wash my face with cetaphil. It is a gentle cleanser. A good dermatologist can help you. Cut out diary products as well which can do a number on someone's skin, drink lots of water and fresh fruit and veggies!

[hairfanatic]

Hey Ms Jadu,

The person to ask about this is definately Jade, because she is the guru on vitamins! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[vevster]

I use rosa mosqueta in my pre shampoo scalp treatment. I like it alot.

[vevster]

re: Cerasee and weight loss. It does something to your blood sugar / insulin so that is prob why you lost weight.

[SweetNic_JA]

ms jadu, I'm sorry to hear about your dilemna. I'm going to give u some suggestions on how to deal with your skin but I have to comment on the cerassee first. Mi wonda if a dat mek my stay so slim all mi life ??? My parents, family,etc. made me drink that nasty stuff everyday!! I hated it but strangely I used to like the little yellow fruit that grow on the tree (mmmm I'd eat some now). I miss Jamaica /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif ...I just had to slip that in.

Any way, if your father is a rastaman, ask him if him know what growstake is. It grows in Jamaica and it's really good for your skin. You have to break up the leaves(smash them) and then apply the puree to your face. IT stiNK!! It works though. If you don't have access to growstake then try doing the following. I use the same methods and even though they don't alleviate the problem entirely, they reduce the acne significantly. First and foremost, always keep fresh pillow cases and other bed linen on your bed. If you lay your face on an area with any kind of dirt or dust it will affect your skin. Secondly, wash with a wash rag. It helps to exfoliate your skin. I stopped doing it when I was a teenager thinking that it was something for kiddies but when I started doing it again it really made a difference in my skin. Another think you should do is to use an acne treatment over night. I use oxy benzoly 10%... on myface at night. When mi put it on it look like mi a try bleach mi face. It doesn't make your skin lighter though, so it's all good.

When it comes to makeup you have to becareful of the products you choose. I use maybelline everfresh makeup in a cute little tube instead of the hard glass bottle. It doesn't clog my pores. If you use foundation then I don't suggest that you use powder on your face ( it caused me to get black heads). As soon as I stopped using the (pressed) powder I notice that the blackheads left. If you want to use powder then I suggest a loose powder and apply it with the large powder brushes.

To deal with dark marks left by old breakouts (these things take weeks to fade) I put on moisturizer on my face. Then I apply the oxy on my skin and make sure to concentrate it on the dark spots. It acts as a concealer/acne treatment when I do this. I don't advise you to do this with all types of makeup though.

Also, if the cerassee is clearing up your face then stick to it. I may run out and buy some...Lawwd ol' time people really know wha good fi yuh.
If you're losing weight then maybe you should try to consume more food to offset the cerassee effect.

hope this helps.
talk to u later.

[ms jadu]

sistren,

thanks for the advice! Mi nyam off every ting in site!
The cerasee was good yes, but it made loose weight. My father always tries to get me to drink all types of natural things, but i cant bare the taste.He gave me some aloe(plant form) and put it on my face. it neva helped mi yet.

[NayNay]

Girl I feel u on the skin. I never broke out until my mid 20's and I feel I am wwwaaayyy too old. I tried everything from Benzoyl peroxide to retina A and tea tree oil etc. The only thing that really seems so work for me is Glycolic Acid. I use the MD Forte type. Here is the web site. It is actually pretty good and it gets rid of black heads. I started on it from the dermatologist. Girly here is the trick to getting rid of the black marks that acne leaves...... SUNSCREEN! Yes sunscreen! I use a 30 SPF UVA/UVB. Tthe sun causes the di-pigmentation so using a sunscreen will DEFINITELY help!
Also wash your hands and only use your hands to wash your face. Do not use wash cloths and let your face air dry. Bacteria gets in the wash cloth and can stop the progress you are achieiving. Good Luck and try that first. I believe in herbs and stuff too. I heard Burdock works as well. Do a search for Glycolic acid and suncscreen in this section....it has helped me a lot!!!!!
http://www.allergan.com/site/products/consumers/home.asp?id=md_forte
http://www.robertburke.com/mdproduct.htm

[SweetNic_JA]

ms jadu,
there is one other weird ingredient that was suggested to me. garlic. ewwwww. I used to apply it as a teenager. It was good for the blackheads but sometimes it burned my skin or felt like it was burning.


By the way, since the last post I started using Pantothenic Acid and I have seen a dramatic improvement in my skin

[NayNay]

How did u apply garlic and did it dry your face out? More details please!

[Madison]

yes garlic will burn sensitive
skin but it does work

[Madison]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
NayNay said:
How did u apply garlic and did it dry your face out? More details please!

[/ QUOTE ]

I never used the fresh garlic because I didnt want that stench all over my face. I used to open a garlic cap and mix the powder with a little water and just apply it to the pimple with a qtip.

[SweetNic_JA]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
Do not use wash cloths and let your face air dry. Bacteria gets in the wash cloth and can stop the progress you are achieiving.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nay,
It's safe to use washcloths if you keep them clean. I usually soak mine in hot water before using it on my face and replace them frequently. I also follow up with an astringent. I'm currently using Clean and Clear.

I will definitely try the sunscreen tip though. It makes a lot of sense ! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[carrie]

Ms Jadu - this is what I do. I use have bad acne as a teen and I saw this on the Sally Jessey Raphael show when I was 16...and I have been doing it for the past 14 years.

After I remove my make up (right now I use the cloths by ponds) I make a paste out of water and baking soda. It exfoiliates as well as cleanses. Then I rinse completey. I follow up with peroxide as an astringent. Just don't get it in your hairline. For the scars I used Ambi to fade them.

[ThursdayGirl]

I like using Glycolic Acid. Its basically fruit acid similar to alpha hydroxy acid /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. It helps me get rid of brown marks faster... its an exfoliator too. It encourages hydration of the skin and the sloughing of old cells.

[Nikki]

I remember My step mom making me drink a spoon Cod liver oil.. it is nasty, you have to down it w/ juice after but that may help, do some research, and maybe you can try cleansing your system and drinking alot of water. Treat it internally first, so whatever you put on the outside should have a chain reaction, but look into the cod liver oil, it is natural so you have nothing to lose, You're from JA so I know you know about that!

[ms jadu]

Hey ladies,

I have better news. For the last 4 weeks I have been taking vitmains. I started taking B-5 rec. by Jade21 and Tara, and have been getting clearer skin. I have also started taking EPO for a better glow. I also bought some baking soda as Carrie suggested as a scrub. I will pose an update soon. Thanks for all yalls suggestions.

[NayNay]

Just an FYI! Easy on the essential oils. I wouldn't take the recommened dosages. They are oils and after a while may build up in your system and complicate the acne!
I take 1 day when I think you are suppose to take 3 per day. I also skip the weekend too!

[licutiexx]

I had really bad acne and then I started to use Clean and Clear Continous Control Cleanser and Clean and Clear Persa gel and they both worked really well. You can get these at any drug store or grocery store at around $4-5 each. Also look for products that have benzoyl perxiode in them. Remember it's not going to start working over night so give it some time.

[cutebajangirl]

If all this fails go to a a dermatologist and get accuatane (oral vitamin a), The other dermatologist you went too sucked, diet rarely plays a role in acne unless it is some kind of allergic reaction or roseacea that you are confusing with acne. Also Retin A, a topical cream is really good but if proactive dries out your skin then this will too. THe Edgar morris company has a skin lightener product in a liquid so you can put it just on the spot with a q-tip and not get the halo effect. I used Accutane and it worked wonders. Everyone is scared of it but you get your bloods checked monthly to look for any damage and as long as you do that and I believ you can't get it prescribed unless the derm takes blood (by law) you'll be fine.

[miss_a]

Cutebajangirl,

Just wondering did you notice any side effects,e.g., hair loss from taking Accutane? That is my main fear in being prescribed Accutane, sigh, the hair loss.

Thank you,

A.

[inthestars]

Have you tried getting a chemical peel?

[Fatima]

Someboday said sunscreen and I find it is the key to any skin regimen. Don't even think about spending a dime on products if you are not going to wear sunscreen: the sun will jeopardize any fadidng attempt with boomerang effect as dark marks and more acne. There's no way around that one.

Any exfoliation product is better at night. Cheap alternative: tomatoes. You can rub the pulp or on your face or crush it into a puree and apply with a cotton, and let it
air dry. This has saved my face.
But too much exfoliating weakens the skin, making it more vulnerable.

Garlic can really burn: my father got 3rd degree burns from using it (when you can see a big white area in the middle of the scar). I would be very careful putting it on my face.

Another easy way: the pill! You can see with a doctor, some do really help with acne (Diane etc.)

F.